[V8] Front axle removal ?????

[dsaad at icehouse.net]

The sway bar will be under pressure if the wheels are weighted. Keep this in
mind - that thing can sproing out and get you if you put your hand in the wrong
place. I use some ford truck jacks to push/hold the bar into place, but I think
the easiest way for you to do this in your garage is to support the front end by
the body/frame and let the wheels both hang down. This un-weights the sway bar
so you can remove it. The wheels need to be un-weighted anyway to get the wheels
off and axle out.

Once you get the thing out and apart, I completely disassembled the CV joint (in
and outboard). It looks impossable, but by twisting and turning things just
right, you can remove all the steel balls and the cage for a real good cleaning
job. You do not have to force or pry anything - they just fall out when things
are positioned right. Not sure if that is recomended, but again mine seem to be
fine. Pay close attention to how the cage goes in too - there is a top and
bottom as I recall and you might be able to assemble it wrong if you try hard
enough :-)

Dave


Curious about that gasket. I don't remember seeing it. (oops?)
but I don't have any leaks so I guess I am OK.

Dave


Quoting Kneale Brownson <knotnook at traverse.com>:

> I'm preparing to remove the right front axle on our 90 V8 #1 following the
> manual's skimpy directions.  Have some questions:
>
> 1.  Page 40-50-1 says to remove "both" stabilizer bar bearing bushing
> shells and it has two arrows pointing to the bolt and nut visible from
> underneath.  Does "both" mean both sides?   Should I take off the fasteners
> on the driver side too?
>
> 2.  Which brings up, should I have both front wheels unweighted?  I took
> out the right axle bolt and jacked up the right side.  This is on my
> ramp-style lift.  Should I jack up the other side too?
>
> 3.  Can I follow the direction to "slightly pull back wheel speed sensor"
> by just pulling on it by hand?  Does this require removal of the caliper
> and shielding?
>
> 4.  In the section describing front axles & shafts, there is a drawing of a
> gasket at the inboard end of the axle assembly with the admonition to
> always replace.  Do I need to find this gasket and replace it?
>
> I'm replacing the axle because of a torn outer boot.  I have a correct
> right replacement.  The goal is to fix the torn boot "at my leisure" and
> have the spare available for future use if/when needed.
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